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I
guess that is a picture of a "woodrat". I searched and found that there is such
a thing as a woodrat — shows how little I know. Actually, this is the logo of The
WoodRat — a woodworking machine.
The WoodRat that I have just installed is really a very serious machine. From
the manufacturer's viewpoint, it is "the Essential Woodworker's Machine."
Years ago (over 10), when I first saw this machine advertised, I sent for
their video and was quite intrigued at how it did dovetails. But the product "sort of
disappeared"...or at least in my limited view.
When I was doing some searching a couple of months ago, I saw the WoodRat
mentioned, and I decided to "catch up" on the product. To my surprise, it is a
popular product in many countries — but not the United States. Their initial
distribution in the US just didn't work out, but now they are focusing their efforts here,
so I convinced them that this website would be a good place to start.
This is the first segment of a number of updates — I just don't know how
many, because there are so many joints that it can do. I will try to do each and every
joint.
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Like a lot of devices, it is "simple to use", but only after
you learn how to use it. Makes sense.
I start by opening the box and pulling
out the manual – all 140 pages of it.
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The box was
rather simple and straightforward, but, I must say, the extrusion I am holding is very
impressive. If I didn't think the WoodRat
was a serious tool, the size, weight and complexity of this one piece would make me think
again.
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Here are all the parts laid out. I like that they packed several bags of small parts.
Hopefully, this will make sense when it is time to assemble. But, first, it is time to go
read the manual.
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It is a week later, and I
have read the Manual cover to cover. It is not that I am a slow reader, but that I was
finishing up the blanket chest…and reading the manual at night.
The heavy extrusion I was holding gets mounted on a shop wall. The
instructions detail the wall plate that must be constructed. It measures 2" X 5"
X 36" and is to be constructed from "softwood." Since I wanted to make one
with those exact dimensions, I decided to make some "engineered" wood.
I am cutting a piece of ¾" birch ply into 5 ¼" strips. I need two
pieces of the birch ply and one strip of ½" MDF to make the sandwich.
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I have generously spread
some yellow glue on the surfaces and mated them, keeping one edge pretty well lined
up.
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I tack the sandwich together from both sides using 1 ¼" staples.
I have checked the Manual and have allowed for where cuts will be made. I do not want to
be cutting anywhere near the staples.
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Now I am trimming to the
exact 5" width called for in the Manual. Frankly, I don't know how critical the
dimensions are, but it is just as easy to be exact, than it is to be close…(sure.)
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To hang the heavy extrusion
on this wood wall plate, the instructions call for making two rabbetted hangers —
each one is 1" X 2" X 9". I start by ripping some 5/4 pine to 2"
width.
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A rabbet is called for to
allow this extrusion channel to fit.
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I have added a
sacrificial fence to the Incra-TS-III fence and have installed the dado blade set. I run
the wood with what I think is the right rabbet depth - minus a little. I will try it and
then make the final cut. The WoodRat extrusion is very heavy, so I want to make it a tight
fit.
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I try the piece in
place. I want it to fit tightly since the WoodRat will be secured by this rabbet. A couple
of tries, and the fit is right on.
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I measure down the
25mm that the instructions call for.
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I use some 2 ½"
screws to hold the hangers in place.
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